What to look for on a 1999 Valkyrie - Motortrike conversion

[3W-lonerider]

Thanks, 3W.

Spent some time looking over the trike this week. Many loose nuts and bolts, in particular the exhaust mounts and exhaust shields, and some of the chrome accessories. The squeaks in the back were resolved by putting some light oil on the heim joints. Now quiet as a mouse. I haven't yet explored the "buzz bolt" but will investigate as time permits.

Dropped the air bags down to 15 psi (they were 30) which seems to smooth out the ride. I can't detect any harmonic vibration at this time, but it's been so darn hot here that even morning rides are limited to a few minutes.

U-joints all looked good, although quite a bit of slop in the drive-train somewhere. Don't know if in the trans or in the diff. Maybe this is normal.

All in all - coming along nicely. Used a whole bottle of 'final finish' to remove years of water spots and grime. The bodywork cleaned up really nice for a 23 year old scoot.

I have your phone number and will give you a call this weekend. Much obliged.

Mike

the play in the differential is normal, mine always had play even new.

[mr.precision]

Tightened up numerous loose bolts, nuts, buzz bolt, exhaust shields but still have an annoying noise. Lubing the heim joints got rid of all the squeaks in the back..... so at least that's a big improvement.

Rolling the throttle on at anything less than 2600 RPM creates a chatter which sounds like the transmission. Web searches reveal plenty of Valkyrie trike owners having this problem... but no real answers.

Some refer to the "pair valve", vacuum lines, and pre-ignition, The local trike repair place here (the only one in Phoenix with a good reputation) says it's worn out heim joints. I don't have any wobble or difficult handling, and I looked at the joints - they look fine.

Any thoughts on this? The VRCC website had several threads about this exact noise with loads of suggestions, but no reported solutions.

Thanks - Mike

[Papa Zook]

Tightened up numerous loose bolts, nuts, buzz bolt, exhaust shields but still have an annoying noise. Lubing the heim joints got rid of all the squeaks in the back..... so at least that's a big improvement.

Rolling the throttle on at anything less than 2600 RPM creates a chatter which sounds like the transmission. Web searches reveal plenty of Valkyrie trike owners having this problem... but no real answers.

Some refer to the "pair valve", vacuum lines, and pre-ignition, The local trike repair place here (the only one in Phoenix with a good reputation) says it's worn out heim joints. I don't have any wobble or difficult handling, and I looked at the joints - they look fine.

Any thoughts on this? The VRCC website had several threads about this exact noise with loads of suggestions, but no reported solutions.

Thanks - Mike

Pay attention to the heim joints, if fact do a search of Motor Trike Heim Joints here on this forum and you'll find plenty of good reading on the subject. Take preventative action sooner than later and you'll be good to go.

[Volkemon]

Rolling the throttle on at anything less than 2600 RPM creates a chatter which sounds like the transmission. Web searches reveal plenty of Valkyrie trike owners having this problem... but no real answers.

Some refer to the "pair valve", vacuum lines, and pre-ignition, The local trike repair place here (the only one in Phoenix with a good reputation) says it's worn out heim joints. I don't have any wobble or difficult handling, and I looked at the joints - they look fine.

Thanks - Mike

Papa Zook is right on the mark IMO.

I THINK that we have similar rear end setups in our trikes. I had(have..) the same problem. Low RPM operation gave a noise that made you think there was major problems with the transmission. My first V twin, so I was almost thinking that it was a straight cut gear/V twin vibration, and I just had to keep the revs up by selecting a lower gear. Nope.

The centerlink / track bar (?) that keeps the axle located side-to-side is the issue on mine. The lower HEIM joint had some side to side play on the mounting shaft, even with the bolt and washer tightened up. The stud that the HEIM joint mounts to is 1/2" . I got a 1/2" split lockwasher and put it on next to the HEIM joint, then tightened up the mounting bolt. This got rid of 90% of the rattle. The upper HEIM joint on the track bar is the remaining noise. It needs replacement, it has play internally. Lubricating it with penetrating grease gets rid of the noise for a short time, but the noise returns quickly when the grease is forced out. I am riding it like that for now, and have learned to get used to the noise. My exhaust is so quiet the rattle is the noisiest thing, so when slow cruising I tend to keep the rev's up and that helps keep the trackbar noise at a minimum.

While riding, I noticed the noise was MUCH less on corners... and I could 'start/stop' the noise while it was happening on the straights by weaving side to side slightly, loading up the track bar. Thats what led me to closer examination of the track bar.

How did I 'pinpoint' it? I use our RV levelling pads to make a ramp for the back wheels, raises it up about 4". Then on the floor, I reached in and wiggled things. A 'fore-aft' wiggle on the track bar revealed the play on the mounting stud, and confirmed the repair after putting the lockwasher in. The upper link play was found after putting in a jackstand and removing the right rear wheel to allow access. I used pieces of plywood on the floor to make it so when the axle was on the jackstand and the left wheel, the axle was still level.

I have searched this site, but may have missed it. Are there any opinions out there about the nylon/PTFE insert HEIM joints? SOURCES? I found a few comments on greaseable HEIM joints, stating that the grease fitting makes a leak spot. But if anyone has switched to one of these types, I have yet to find it.

For the centerlink/track rod, I would LOVE to find ends that are like this:



Whoa! Sorry for the HUUUUGE pic...

But I have not found them for threads smaller than 5/8". I would like to find 1/2" hole and thread. Again, any help appreciated.

Hope that helps, and sorry for the partial thread hijack. But even that may help your issue also.

[mr.precision]

Great write-up, Volkemon. Thank you for the details.

I'll get the trike up in the air this week and take another look at the heim joints. When I bought this thing a month or two ago, the rear suspension squeaked like crazy. A little spray lube on the joints fixed that. Some say if they squeak then they are probably worn out. I didn't observe any slop..... maybe just didn't know what to look for.

Should I reach a conclusion and get a workable solution, will start a new thread. Thanks again.

[Volkemon]

Great write-up, Volkemon. Thank you for the details.

I'll get the trike up in the air this week and take another look at the heim joints. When I bought this thing a month or two ago, the rear suspension squeaked like crazy. A little spray lube on the joints fixed that. Some say if they squeak then they are probably worn out. I didn't observe any slop..... maybe just didn't know what to look for.

Should I reach a conclusion and get a workable solution, will start a new thread. Thanks again.

And for those who follow... https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...l=1#post902336